Death toll due to Odisha heat wave rises to eight

The death toll in Odisha due to sunstroke has risen to eight, officials said Friday, as heat wave conditions continued in several parts of the state.

While two deaths were reported from Mayurbhanj district, Bhadrak, Bolangir, Cuttack, Jajpur, Kendrapada and Khordha reported one death each, the office of the state's relief commissioner said in a statement.

Odisha is reeling under a severe heat wave with several places witnessing temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius.

On Friday, the industrial town of Talcher recorded a temperature of 45 degrees Celsius, the highest of the day in the state, an official of the Bhubaneswar meteorological centre told IANS.

The town in Angul district, some 170 km from here, has been witnessing high temperatures for the past few days. It had recorded 45.5 degrees Thursday, the state's highest of this season.

People stayed indoors, shops were closed and roads wore a deserted look in this town known for its coal reserves and a number of coal mines.

Sonepur remained the second hottest places in the state Friday, recording a maximum temperature of 42.6 degrees followed by Bhabanipatna (42.5 degrees).

The maximum temperature was 40 degrees and above in eight other places, including state capital Bhubaneswar at 40.6 degrees. There may be a slight decrease in the maximum temperature in the next two days, the official said.